April 2016 Bulletin - Congregation B`nai Israel

Volume 157, Issue 9
APRIL
HIGHLIGHTS
Shredding for a Cause
Bring unneeded documents and
computer equipment to the temple
on April 3 for the Paper Shredding &
Computer Recycling fundraiser. See
Page 2 for details.
Do We Need Hebrew?
Are American Reform Jews ignoring
Hebrew at their own peril? Rabbi
Prosnit makes the case for our
traditional language, on Page 3.
Meet the Class of 2016
Confirmation is one of Reform
Judaism’s
most
important
achievements. Meet some of the
impressive teens (including Brooke
Powning, above left, and Sophia
Pappas) who are members of our
Class of 2016. See Page 6.
Mini Mitvahs a Big Step
Bonim preschoolers are discovering
the value and joy of helping their
community in the new Mini Mitzvah
program. See Page 9.
More Inside
Chesed..........................................P.2
BIFTY..........................................P.4
Rabbi Schultz...............................P.5
Adult Jewish Learning...................P.6
Shabbat Services........................P.15
Adar II/Nisan 5776
April 2016
Pesach
Passover Starts
April 22
Passover is the one Jewish holiday we
celebrate primarily in the home. That
point is made especially clear when the
holiday begins on Shabbat this year,
with the first Seder set for Friday, April
22. There will be no Shabbat services at
the Temple that night, so families can
gather at home for their Seders.
Can you make room for more guests at
your Seder? Or perhaps you are hoping
to find a Seder to attend. In either case,
please contact:
• Rabbi Prosnit – jprosnit@cbibpt.org
• Rabbi Schultz – eschultz@cbibpt.org)
• Cantor Blum – (sblum@cbibpt.org)
They would love to help make
connections so all can celebrate the
holiday.
Clip Art Source: clipartbest.com
Also, we welcome everyone to join us
on Tuesday, April 26, for the Annual
Tent of Abraham Interfaith Seder.
This powerful Seder will run from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m., as we engage our Christian
and Muslim friends in dialogue and
celebration. This year’s theme is slavery
and freedom. Stay tuned to Hashavua
for more details.
And of course, join us on Saturday, April
23, on the first morning of Passover, at
10:00 a.m.
Gala Honorees Embody Tikkun Olam
Tikkun Olam – repairing the world – is a
cornerstone of Reform Judaism. We are
called upon to help our congregation, our
community and the world. Next month
B’nai Israel will honor three people who
go above and beyond in helping make
this a better world.
On Thursday, May 26, our annual
gala will honor Edward Burger, Philip
Eliasoph and Karen Ferleger. The event
will feature food and beverages and a
silent auction.
Look for more details in Hashavua and
next month’s Bulletin, which also will
feature a deeper look at the honorees’
accomplishments. This month, we want
to give you insight into what the honor
means to them.
Ed Burger serves on the Board of
Trustees for the Union for Reform
Judaism, the central organization for
Reform Judaism in North America. He
chaired the 2013 URJ Biennial in San
Diego. Yet, his activism really took root
as a member of the temple Board of
Trustees.
“I think it’s a nice extension of what I’ve
done in the synagogue to be able to have
the recognition that when my active
Continued on Page 4
Shredding For a Cause
Congregation B’nai Israel will hold its first annual Paper
Shredding & Computer Recycling fundraiser on Sunday, April
3, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (rain or shine). This event is
open to the public and sponsored by Congregation B’nai Israel.
All net proceeds will benefit the general operations of the
synagogue.
This is a perfect way to safely rid your home of old bank
statements, checks, check registers or tax documents (and the
like), and those old, unused computers. Simply place unwanted
documents in a box – paper clips, staples and all – and drive to
the temple parking lot. You can bring as many boxes as you can
fit in your car, with no weight limits.
Volunteers will be on hand to assist you. This event also will
serve as the Mitzvah Morning for April, if you are interested
in helping.
Only cash will be accepted. The costs are: $10 per small box;
$20 for larger banker boxes; and $20 per item for hard-drive
Welcome! Welcome!
destruction and computer recycling
The shredding and electronics destruction will be performed
onsite by Affordable Solutions, LLC, a fully licensed company
out of Orange.
There also will be a bake sale taking place.
If you have any questions, contact Jim Greenberg at jgreenberg@
cbibpt.org or (203) 913-9656.
You Can Help Chesed Help Others
A warm welcome to our newest members.
We look forward to their participation
in our many programs and hope their
affiliation will not only enrich their lives,
but that of our congregation.
Our Congregation’s mission statement
notes, “Central to [our] mission is the
fostering of a strong sense of community
among an intergenerational and diverse
membership.”
Rod Brown
Verona Court, Stratford
“Chesed” is a Hebrew word that has been
translated in various ways, including
acts of loving kindness, goodness and
compassion. Our Chesed Program is
one of the ways we strive to create and
sustain this sense of community. It
provides opportunities for us to interact
with each other in accord with this core
ethical, Jewish value.
Sharing Our Joy
Nora Mayerson, in honor of Steve
Mayerson’s One-Man Exhibit of his
artwork at Harborview Market in
Bridgeport, from March 4th to March 31st.
Naomi and Carl Erwich, on the birth of
daughter, Miriam, little sister of Leon.
Sincere Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to the bereaved
families of:
Jeannette Goldreyer, wife of Alfred
Goldreyer
Ruth Prince
Michael Dinkes, brother of Lawrence
Dinkes
2
Among other things, Chesed arranges
rides to the synagogue for members so
they can participate in religious services
and other congregational events. We
maintain a list of potential volunteer
drivers. When a request is made, we are
usually able to fulfill it, but unfortunately,
sometimes we cannot. We would like to
say “yes” more often. Can you help us do
so?
We need more congregants on our list of
potential drivers to contact when we have
requests for rides. We need volunteers
for various days and times, and from the
multiple towns in which our members
live. Do you regularly or on occasion
attend services on Friday evening, 8:00
a.m. Saturday or the monthly 10:45
a.m. Shabbat service? How about adult
education classes?
Indicating you might be available to
provide a ride does not commit you to
saying “yes” to any particular request.
If and when you are able to help, you
will have the opportunity to experience
that special feeling associated with
enhancing the life of another member of
our congregational community.
Please
contact
Chesed
Program
Coordinator Barbara Abraham at (203)
261-6152 or chesed@cbibpt.org with any
questions and/or to add your name to our
list of volunteer drivers.
We need your help!
“A person who runs to do just, good,
and kind deeds attains life, success, and
honor” (Proverbs 21:21).
What’s happening at the Temple? Get Hashavua, our weekly email. Send your request to Lynn at lynn@cbibpt.org.
From the Rabbi’s Desk/Rabbi James Prosnit
Let’s Talk About Hebrew
I remember hearing the story of how
David Ben Gurion berated one of the
members of his first Israeli cabinet,
asking him, if he was embarrassed that he
didn’t know how to speak Hebrew. The
cabinet member was said to reply, “Yes,
but it’s easier to be embarrassed than to
learn Hebrew!”
I think of that story (true or not) when
I think about the level of Hebrew
proficiency of so many American Jews.
Many of us remember Hebrew school as
the place where we did not learn Hebrew.
And while Hebrew remains a value in
Religious School curricula (at least from
Kitah Dalet to Vav – Grades 3-6), it is
rarely reinforced once one leaves middle
school. Sure, some people remember the
letters and recall how to string the sounds
and vowels together, but few, unless
blessed with a Day School experience or
a college course, have the vocabulary to
understand either the ancient or modern
expressions of the language.
And the problem may be that most of us
are not embarrassed. It is low on the list
of our life’s priorities.
Leon Wieseltier, longtime literary critic
for the New Republic and now fellow at
the Brookings institution is exceptional
critical of this reality. He writes, “The
American Jewish community is the first
great community in the history of our
people that believes that it can receive,
develop, and perpetuate the Jewish
tradition not in a Jewish language. By an
overwhelming majority, American Jews
cannot read or speak or write Hebrew …
The assumption of American Jewry that
it can do without a Jewish language is an
arrogance without precedent in Jewish
history. And this illiteracy, I suggest,
will leave American Judaism and
American Jewishness forever crippled
and scandalously thin.”
read the Hebrew letters and doesn’t
understand the meaning.
“Hebrew conveys somethings
special about our past and our
amazing ability to recreate
ourselves as a people after
years of diaspora living.”
Harsh words for certain, but words that
I do take to heart as on our recent trip to
Israel I realized how challenged I was
to maintain a relatively simple Hebrew
conversation. If you don’t use it, you lose
it. Of course, Israelis don’t help. Since
most of them speak English, on many
occasions when I spoke Hebrew, they
replied in English. In other words, it’s
better for us to speak your language than
it is to hear you butcher mine!
Back home we have also made it easy
for us not to have to learn Hebrew. Most
sacred books that we study these days
have been translated into English. And
while Rabbi Jack Bloom reminds us
regularly at Torah Study on Shabbat that
“the translator is a traitor,” we somehow
still manage to have good conversations
about the meaning of the texts and the
traditions.
Similarly, our new siddurim for both
the Sabbath and the High Holy Days
have transliterations of all the prayers. I
wouldn’t trade that for anything because
it has enabled so many to participate in
the language of prayer, even if one can’t
But, the downside of both translation and
transliteration is that it has made it easier
for us not to have to learn the language
that affirms not only a faith, but our sense
of peoplehood. Hebrew is something that
brings us together as Jews. How often
have people told me after a trip to Paris
or Rome that they went to synagogue
and found that the Hebrew gave them a
unique and powerful sense of unity.
Hebrew conveys somethings special
about our past and our amazing ability to
recreate ourselves as a people after years
of diaspora living. Poet Danny Siegel
expresses it well:
I’ll tell you how much I love Hebrew:
Read me anything Genesis,
or an ad in an Israeli paper, and watch
my face.
I will make half sounds of ecstasy,
and my smile will be so enormously
sweet
you would think some angels were
singing Psalms
or God alone was reciting to me.
I am crazy for her Holiness
and each restaurant’s menu in
Yerushalayim or Bialik poem
gives me peace no Dante or Milton or
Goethe could give.
I have heard Iliads of poetry, Omar
Khayyam in Farsi,
and Virgil sung as if the poet himself
were coaching the reader.
And they move me
But not like the train schedule from
Haifa to Tel Aviv
or a choppy unsyntaxed note from a
student
who got half the grammar I taught him
all wrong
but remembered to write with Alefs and
Zayins and Shins.
That’s the way I am.
Continued on Page 15
Donation Item of the Month: Bags of Beans and Rice for the St. John’s Food Pantry.
3
BIFTY
GALA........................................
From Page 1
leadership came to an end, I had a place
to keep my skill set going that I learned
at the synagogue to help community and
the bigger, broader URJ community,” he
says.
Philip Eliasoph is a pioneering professor
of Art History at Fairfield University.
He also founded the university’s
popular “Town Hall” public affairs series
Open Visions Forum. His call to service
comes from his Judaism.
“Engaging on multiple levels and in
unexpected ways – among professional
colleagues, friends and folks we work,
study, pray, and enjoy recreational
activities with – is the key to community
service,” he says. “Honestly, as a Boomer
caught up in the steamy vortex of Sixties
activism, my entire life has been an
ongoing process of attempting to achieve
Join us for the
Spring Gala on
Thursday, May 26
Tikkun Olam for our local community,
the nation or as a global citizen.”
Like her fellow honoree Ed Burger,
Karen Ferleger grew up at B’nai Israel.
She has now widened her sphere of
impact as co-chair of the Federation of
Jewish Philanthropy of Upper Fairfield
County. She also has worked on behalf
of Jewish Senior Services, the Jewish
Community Center and other groups. It
all traces back to the temple.
“It’s been my home away from home
for so many years, growing up there and
the really strong connection with my
family,” she says. “So it was very nice
to be asked, especially for being honored
for what I do in the community, for which
I work very hard in the community.”
4
Kaleigh Karnal, left, and Ethan Rodier are among those helping to broaden BIFTY’s reach.
Taking BIFTY Beyond the Temple
BIFTY is part of the North American
Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY).
In addition to the programs BIFTY
runs, NFTY organizes weekend
programs for Jewish teens. Max Fink
and Kaleigh Karnal are BIFTY’s NFTY
representatives. Read below to learn
more about NFTY and why they love
NFTY just as much as BIFTY!
What do you like about NFTY events?
MAX: I love NFTY events because
every time I go to one, I learn more about
myself and how I function in various
environments, both as a Reform Jew and
a teenager.
KALEIGH: Something I like about
NFTY events is the feeling of a larger
Jewish community outside of camp. It’s
a cool experience to interact with a large
number of high school-age teens who
are all Reform Jews and have the same
desire to be a part of something. APRIL EVENTS
BIFTY meets every Thursday
from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the
BIFTY lounge.
• April 14 – No BIFTY
(happy break!)
• April 21 – BIFTY’s Birthday
Extravaganza!
• April 28 – Happy Passover!
Follow us on Instagram at Cbibpt.
What is BIFTY’s involvement in
NFTY?
MAX: Currently, BIFTY’s involvement
in NFTY is to send as many people
as possible to events, so that we can
accurately represent our pride in our
youth group, as well as act as voting
delegates at Asefah (regional board
meetings)
KALEIGH: BIFTY is our temple’s
youth group, and NFTY could be
considered a giant youth group for
people in the area. My and Max’s goal as
the NFTY representatives is to encourage
the members of BIFTY to attend some of
the NFTY events.
Why should teens attend NFTY
programs?
MAX: Teens should attend NFTY events
because I find that it is the No. 1 way
to make friends and connect with other
Reform Jewish teens outside of the
Religious School environment. Also, you
just have so much fun!
KALEIGH: Teens should attend NFTY
programs to meet people and expand
their social interaction with other Jewish
high-schoolers! NFTY gives people the
opportunity to make friends from all
over the area. It’s also just a fun Jewish
community to be part of!
Continued on Page 5
From the Rabbi’s Study/Rabbi Evan Schultz
Check Out These Great Jewish Podcasts
Since venturing into the world of hosting
a podcast (if you haven’t yet checked out
“Really Interesting Jews Podcast” yet, I’d
love for you to do so), I have discovered
some fantastic Jewish podcasts that have
emerged in just the past few months. You
can listen in the car, on the commuter
train, or even while washing the dishes.
This is a great way to increase your
Jewish learning and awareness of today’s
most pressing and interesting Jewish
issues!
Each episode is short (about eight
minutes) and offers a teaching on the
weekly Torah portion. I think it’s great
that Rabbi Jacobs has created this
podcast as an opportunity for us to hear
him teach each week. Thoughtful, quick,
and a great way to connect with Rabbi
Jacobs!
Here are my top five Jewish podcasts:
Source: clker.com
1) Pulpit on the Common http://www.
tisrael.org/podcast/ -- This podcast
comes out of Temple Israel of Boston.
If you are interested in contemporary
social justice issues or our local work
with Congregations Organized for a
New Connecticut (CONECT), this
podcast is for you. They bring on
some excellent guests, such as Boston
Police Commissioner William Evans
and Massachusetts State Senator Sonai
Chang-Diaz. While the guests are all
from the Boston area, they explore the
very universal topics of gun violence
prevention and criminal justice reform.
2) Mechon Hadar Responsa Radio
http://www.mechonhadar.org/responsaradio -- Mechon Hadar is an egalitarian
place of learning in New York City. I
have attended their Rabbi’s Yeshiva
for the past two years. Their podcast,
“Responsa Radio,” offers a Jewish
response to listener questions, such as
BIFTY ..... From Page 5
Will teens who don’t go to camp still
enjoy NFTY events?
MAX: NFTY is very enjoyable even if
you don’t go to a Jewish summer camp.
It gives kids a chance to experience
“You can listen in the car,
on the commuter train, or
even while washing the
dishes. This is a great way
to increase your Jewish
learning and awareness of
today’s most pressing and
interesting Jewish issues!”
“Are campaign donations considered
tzedakah?” or “Can I live dangerously?”
They also post reflections on the weekly
Torah portion and podcasts explaining
the meanings of different prayers.
3) On the Other Hand http://www.
reformjudaism.org/learning/podcasts -“On the Other Hand” is a weekly podcast
with URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs.
Judaism on their own for what may be the
first time without great adult influence.
While most kids’ religious views come
from their parents, it is very important for
teens to go out on their own and really
find out what Judaism means to them.
KALEIGH: Teens who don’t go to
summer camp would definitely like
4) Israel Story http://www.tabletmag.
com/tag/israel-story -- This podcast,
produced by the online magazine Tablet,
shares human narratives based in the land
of Israel that you won’t hear in the news.
If you listen to “This American Life,”
chances are you’d really enjoy the stories
shared in each episode of “Israel Story.”
5) Vox Tablet http://www.tabletmag.
com/category/podcasts -- This podcast
also comes from the folks at Tablet. Each
episode focuses on a particular Jewish
topic or an interview with a prominent
thinker in the Jewish world. For example,
they recently interviewed “Son of Saul’s”
Geza Rojrig, and in their most recent
episode they explore the topic of the
mikvah Jewish ritual bath and feminism.
Each episode is expertly produced and
definitely worth a listen!
EDITOR’S NOTE: To find out more about
Rabbi Schultz’s new podcast, “Really
Interesting Jews,” check out the website
at www.reallyinterestingjews.com, or
follow on Facebook at www.facebook.
com/reallyinterestingjews or Twitter via
@RIJpodcast.
NFTY. Some people consider it a camplike experience without the same kind of
commitment. NFTY attracts camp kids
but also people who have never been to
camp. If you like meeting new people,
you’d like NFTY regardless if you’ve
been to a summer camp before.
We are on Twitter now! Follow us via @cbibpt. We’ll follow back!
5
Meet the
Confirmands
Over the next few months, we will
spotlight a few of our Confirmation
class members. You will learn why
these remarkable young people chose to
continue their journey in Jewish studies
and what makes them such an important
part of our B’nai Israel family. We hope
you will join them on June 5 as they
become Confirmands.
How would you explain Confirmation
to a member of our congregation?
Brooke Powning: Confirmation is a way
for teens to learn about the role religion
plays in their life. It is important to me
because it means I am able to understand
Judaism on an independent level.
Ben Dachman: Confirmation is all about
individual students discovering their own
connection to Judaism and allows them
the ability to plan their Jewish connection
for the future. Confirmation represents
my willingness to continue my obligation
to Judaism, family traditions, and my
willingness to the Jewish community
in terms of civic engagement and my
devotion to the good of civic virtue.
Sophia Pappas: Confirmation is a
ceremony where a sophomore in high
Members of the 2016 Confirmation Class pose with chaperone Kristen Carley (rear center) and Rabbi Schultz
(rear right). From left are Sophia Pappas, Melanie DelAngelo, Shane Carley, Rachel Salem, Ben Dachman,
Samantha Ballas, Brooke Powning, Jenna Rosenstein, Kaleigh Karnal, Allie Hazen and Hannah Cohen. Not
pictured are Morgan Beck, Finnley Monte, Rachel Portnay and Julia Warman.
school confirms their faith to Judaism.
Following in my parents’ footsteps is
important to because I am carrying on
the legacy where I am becoming an
independent Jew.
Shane Carley: Confirmation is a class of
high school sophomores where they talk
about what Judaism means to them. We
have discussions and answer questions
about our religion that will help us as we
reaffirm our Jewish faith. I enjoy listening
to other people’s ideas and sharing my
own. It reaffirms what my parents have
always told me: Synagogue is not only
a place to worship, but a community of
friendship and faith.
What has been the most interesting
conversation in Confirmation class?
Brooke:
The
most
interesting
conversations have been about God and
God concepts because I like hearing
other people’s interpretations.
Ben: The most interesting discussion
thus far has been about whether Senator
Bernie Sanders is Jewish or not. This
provoked the discussion of what
constitutes Jewishness in an individual.
To me, whether or not someone is Jewish
is of utmost importance.
Sophia:
The
most
interesting
conversation was the poetry slam because
Continued on Page 15
Adult Jewish Learning at Congregation B’nai Israel
Is it Possible to be Spiritual and
Jewish?
Mondays, April
4, 18, 25, and
May 2 at 7:00
p.m.
Can one be
spiritual
and
Jewish?
Join
with Rabbi Evan
Schultz to find
out! During this
four-week class, we will attempt to define
what it means to be spiritual and what
our tradition has to offer those seeking a
sense of spirituality. We will set out to
6
answer the question, “Is it possible to be
both spiritual and Jewish?” Adult Roundtable
Thursday, April 7 at 12:30 p.m.
A discussion about current events for
anyone who wants to go beyond the
headlines. Join facilitator Gloria Katz on
the first Thursday of every month, and
bring a sandwich, your opinion and an
open mind.
Rosh Chodesh
with Rabbi Suri
Krieger
Thursday, April
7 at 7:30 p.m.
The waxing and waning of lunar cycles
has been a guiding force for women
throughout the ages, both literally and
spiritually. Since the Jewish feminist
movement reclaimed Rosh Chodesh in
the 1970s, women have been gathering
on a monthly basis to acknowledge and
celebrate. The form of this celebration has
taken on many faces, including ancient
text, contemporary outreach, food and
fantasy. Women are invited to join Rabbi
Suri Krieger to celebrate the new Hebrew
month and for spiritual growth.
Like Us on Facebook. Visit the Congregation B’nai Israel page and join us online.
From the Education Center/Ira J. Wise
Getting Hung Up about God
How many of you get to talk about God
as part of your job? I do, and I love it.
Now, I do not go around telling people
what to believe or how to connect with
God. Frankly, I have no idea. I am pretty
sure there are as many different ways to
connect as there are people. (And that is
one reason why I am so aggravated by
the amount of violence that occurs in
God’s name.)
As I explain to students, there is no one
“correct” way for Jews to think about
God. As long as God is One (no trinities
or pantheons) and invisible to the human
eye, just about any idea you or I might
have about God is legitimately Jewish.
And the ideas that don’t follow those
two rules are legitimate as well – they
are just not Jewish. And they represent
someone else’s path to God. As Rabbi
Brad Hirschfield says, “You don’t have
to be wrong for me to be right.”
In January, Rabbi Schultz, our Young
Israeli Emissaries, Allie Burger and four
members of BIFTY and I went to Eisner
Camp with our Kitah Vav (6th grade) and
Chet (8th) students for a retreat. Each
group had a different learning theme.
In exploring what it means to become
a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the Kitah Vav
participants explored different ideas
about God. We discussed how many of
us get hung up on God – we often have
ambivalent feelings and turn away from
the conversation. They wrote down some
of things that hangs them up when they
think about God, in hopes of working
through the blockage and allowing
themselves to be open to exploring what
God might mean for them.
Some of you remember Art Linkletter’s
“Kids Will Say the Darnedest Things”
TV show. It went for laughs. I want to
share some of what our kids said about
their hang-ups about God. Not many
Kitah Chet students reach for the star at their retreat earlier this year.
laughs here, but some really deep,
thoughtful kids.
● When people call God a “He”
● If God is all-powerful, supposedly,
why do bad things happen to
good people?
● What the Torah says about homosexual
people
● People who do crazy things in the
name of God
● Did God really create the world?
You hear all the stories. What about
dinosaurs? Where are they in the six
“They are beginning
to understand that as
B’nai Mitzvah, they have
a positive obligation to
keep exploring, asking
questions and thinking.”
days of creation and one day of rest?
● Poverty. Death. Terrorists. Illness.
● When friends argue with each other
for no reason
They know there are not always easy
answers, but for one weekend in January,
they worked hard to begin to figure it out.
And they are beginning to understand
that as B’nai Mitzvah, they have a
positive obligation to keep exploring,
asking questions and thinking. It was a
wonderful retreat. They give me great
hope for the future!
L’shalom,
Ira J. Wise, R.J.E.
Temple Educator
Have the kids left home? Then it’s a perfect time to ReConnect with B’nai Israel. Contact Mindy Siegel at msiegel@cbibpt.org.
7
Donations
Please note that only contributions of $10.00 or more will be acknowledged with a card and Bulletin listing.
Rabbi Prosnit Discretionary Fund
Mariel Ann Harris and Daniel
Cooperman, in memory of father, Jerome
Harris.
Carol Krim, in appreciation of Bob Ford.
The Landman Family, in memory of Jerry
and Annabelle Dachs.
Gale Lubchansky, in memory of Reuben
Steuerman.
Bob and Bobbi Markowitz, in honor of the
Bar Mitzvah of grandson, Noah Markus, and
in appreciation to Rabbi Prosnit.
Nora Mayerson, in memory of brother-inlaw, Chester D. Mayerson; in memory of
beloved aunt, Selma Kane.
Samuel Miller and Family, in memory of
Zelda Miller.
Karin Newman, in memory of father-in-law,
Sidney Newman; in memory of Ruth Aaron,
mother of Mollie Keller.
Carol and Rick Offenbach, in memory
of mother and grandmother, Vivienne
Zimmer Goldstein; in memory of father and
grandfather, Sidney Loewith Goldstein; in
memory of mother and grandmother, Helene
Cohn Offenbach.
Richard and Susan Walden, a donation.
Gail and Peter Weinstein, in memory of
father, grandfather and great-grandfather,
Stanley Weinstein; in memory of mother,
grandmother and great-grandmother, Molly
Sher.
The Yaffie Family, in loving memory of
mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,
Mildred Skydel Seigel.
Rabbi Schultz Discretionary Fund
Deena and Mark Spector, in memory
of Michael Dinkes, brother of Lawrence
Dinkes.
Richard and Susan Walden, a donation.
Music Fund
Anne Caston, with fond memories of Dr.
Edward Kamens.
Gloria Katz, in honor of Dale and Jerry
Demner, on the birth of granddaughter,
Sadie Blachman Demner; in honor of Esther
Spiegel, on the birth of great-granddaughter,
Juliette Mae Macnow.
Pearl and Robert Markowitz, in honor of
the Bar Mitzvah of grandson, Noah Markus,
and in appreciation to Cantor Blum.
Ellen Sheiman, with thanks for the privilege
of chanting, and in appreciation to Cantor
Blum for all that she does for the synagogue.
Richard and Susan Walden, a donation.
8
Enhancement Fund
Susan Bauchner, in memory of mother,
Bobby Kaplan.
Alida and Al Kleban, in loving memory of
sister, Eleanor Levin.
Bernard Levine, in memory of father,
Herman Levine.
Ruth Madwed, in memory of mother, Eva
Dolid; in memory of Sarah Shumofsky,
mother of Allan Shumofsky.
Bernice Rosch, in loving memory of father,
Harry Miller.
Julie and Howard Rosenbaum, in memory
of mother, Junith Rothstein.
Norman and Joan Suslock, in memory of
Sarah Rybeck.
Sue, Bob and Carleigh Sussman, in
memory of Sarah Shumofsky, mother of
Allan Shumofsky.
Lori and Dan Underberger, in memory of
Mickey Frankel, mother of Jill Elbaum.
Richard and Susan Walden, a donation.
Elizabeth and Keith Wexelblatt, in memory
of Mickey Frankel, mother of Jill Elbaum.
Sylvia Prosnit Adult Education Fund
Donations in memory of Rosalind Gordon
were made by:
Carol and Nate Barsky
Michael and Judy Green Blumenthal
Anne Caston and Miriam Caston
Lillian Kezerian
Nora Mayerson
Cathy Nettesheim and Family
Beth Lazar, Mazel Tov to Rod Brown on
his conversion, welcome to the tribe and the
B’nai Israel Family.
Cathy Nettesheim and Family, with thanks
to Rabbi Prosnit and the congregation for the
joy that you brought to Rosalind Gordon.
Jonathan Sonneborn, in memory of
grandfather, Leo Sonneborn.
Nursery School Enrichment Fund
Sidney Fialk, in memory of sister, Irene
Correnti.
Nursery School Scholarship Fund
Geoffrey and Malanie Kooris, in memory
of mother, Irene Correnti.
Amy and Glenn Rich, in memory of Mickey
Frankel, mother of Jill Elbaum.
Gail and Peter Weinstein, Mazel Tov
to Sherry and Fred Wiener, on their
grandchildren’s B’nai Mitzvah; Mazel Tov
to Jane and Jerry Pressman, on Kayla’s
Bat Mitzvah; Mazel Tov to Sheryl and Bill
Lucas, on their granddaughter’s Bat Mitzvah.
Rabbi Martin Library Fund
Susan Bauchner, in memory of husband,
Burt Bauchner.
Judi and David Beier, Mazel Tov to
Dale and Jerry Demner, on the birth of
granddaughter, Sadie Blachman Demner.
Dale and Jerry Demner, in memory of
Lillian Slive, Phyllis Goldstein and Bertha
Greenfield; in memory of Irving Jacob
Demner, father of Jerry Demner.
Prayer Book Fund
Carol and Nate Barsky, in memory of Gerd
Weindling, husband of Myrna Weindling.
Gloria Katz, in memory of Sarah
Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky.
Mazon
Myrna Kaufman, in memory of mother,
Florence Newman.
Religious School Enrichment Fund
Lisbeth and George Ruderman, to support
Scott Verchin studying at Yad Vashem.
Richard and Susan Walden, a donation.
Rabbi Arnold Sher Social Action Fund
Carol and Nate Barsky, in memory of Sarah
Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky.
Judi and David Beier, Mazel Tov to Marge
and Paul Krubiner, on the engagement of son,
Steven, to Aviva Sufian.
Michael and Judy Green Blumenthal, in
memory of Sarah Shumofsky, mother of
Allan Shumofsky.
Gerry Eckber, in memory of Sarah
Shumofsky, mother of Allan Shumofsky.
George and Chris Markley, Mazel tov to
Steve Krubiner and Aviva Sufian and their
families, on Steve and Aviva’s engagement.
Nora Mayerson, in honor of Beth Lazar’s
worthy recognition as a positive example in
the community.
Julie and Steve Pressman and Family, in
memory of uncle, Harold Gandel.
Mark and Karen Reber, in memory of
Mickey Frankel, mother of Jill Elbaum.
Laurie and Daniel Schopick, in memory
of Michael Dinkes, brother of Lawrence
Dinkes; in memory of Louis Schopick.
Gillette Judaic Enrichment Fund
George and Chris Markley, in loving
memory of Martha Markley.
Judith Brav Sher Family Education Fund
Elaine and Juda Chetrit, in memory of Eli
Teller, father of Elaine Chetrit.
Reach more than 700 families. Advertise in the Bulletin. Contact Sam Rosenberg at srosenberg@cbibpt.org.
THE PLAN
For the past few months, preschool
mom Nicole Bush has been working
with Shari Nerreau to prepare meatloaf
that the temple delivers to St. John’s
Church and Operation Hope to provide
meals for the homeless. Shari has been
looking to add more volunteers to her
preparation team, and Nicole had been
searching for ways for her son, Zevi, 4,
to get more involved in a more tangible
way. Her conversations with Shari and
later discussions with me have led Nicole
to initiate a Mini Mitzvahs initiative with
the 3s, 4s and Pre-K classes.
The hope is to open up the lines of
communication about the world around
us in a way that the children can relate,
but not be overwhelmed. This year the
program will have three parts:
1.
Beginning back in February, the
preschool led the volunteer team each
month preparing the meatloaf. While it
Bonim children have fun decorating bags for donated items.
is cooking, we invite in a couple classes
to make brownies that we send along
with the meatloaf. Nicole even brings
her baby daughter in the stroller to
lead this activity.
2.
Nicole
worked
with
someone in the Bridgeport school
(203) 336-1858 • www.cbibpt.org
The Bulletin of Congregation B’nai Israel is published every month except July.
James Prosnit, D.D. ............................ Rabbi
Evan Schultz ................................... Rabbi
Arnold I. Sher, D.D. ............... Rabbi Emeritus
Sheri E. Blum, D.M. ........................... Cantor
Ramon Gilbert, D.M. .......... Cantor Emeritus
Ira J. Wise, R.J.E. ................ Temple Educator
Robert H. Gillette, R.J.E. ... Educator Emeritus
Alexa Cohen .......... Early Childhood Director
Abby Rohinsky ............... Director of Facility
Officers
Samuel J. Rosenberg ........................ President
Michael Blumenthal .......... 1st Vice President
Larry Levine ............................. Vice President
Shari Nerreau ........................... Vice President
Julie Pressman .......................... Vice President
Lori Underberger ............................ Treasurer
Jim Greenberg ................. Assistant Treasurer
Evelyn Rubak ................................... Secretary
Joe Varon .......................... Financial Secretary
Mindy Siegel ........... Immediate Past President
Affiliates
Marisa Underberger ............................................ BIFTY Advisor/Youth Engagement Specialist
Becky Molinoff & Caroline DelAngelo ..................................................... BIFTY Co-Presidents
Scott L. Smith ........................................................................................................ Bulletin Editor
system to match us to five students
for whom we can sponsor a birthday
party. The students selected
will certainly not be given a party
otherwise. I think this is really a way
for our children to make a connection
as the student will be matched to a
class of the same age. We’ll get a profile
that tells us a little about the birthday
child, and the students will work with
their teachers to prepare birthday
cards, wrap gifts, make favor bags and
either provide a gift card for a cake or
choose a cake that will be picked up
by the parents. Then we’ll place it all
in a box, and it’ll be delivered so the
child can have a birthday party. We
are working to get a discount on gifts
or even some donated from a local toy
store. Students have been asked if they
could give a little extra tzedakah to
help sponsor a party or work with their
teachers to bring in gifts, wrapping
paper, etc. 3.
Lastly, before the end of
the year the students will prepare
a bag lunch to donate to Operation
Hope. They will decorate the bags,
assemble sandwiches and stuff the
bags. Before the day we will host a
Continued on Page 10
Donation Item of the Month: Bags of Beans and Rice for the St. John’s Food Pantry.
9
Bonim........................................
From Page 9
fruit drive, in which students can bring
in oranges or bananas to include in the
bags.
THE IMPLEMENTATION
The Mini Mitzvahs have been very busy
the last month doing wonderful things
for the community around them. The
four-year-old and Pre-K classes prepared
brownies for both St. John’s Church and
Operation Hope meal deliveries. While
the baking process was messy, not one
of the children asked for a brownie for
themselves, as they understood the
brownies were to be delivered to those
in need. They were excited to mix the
batter, crack the eggs and fill the large
pans full of brownie batter. Members of
the synagogue who served at the shelters
reported back that the brownies were very
well received and a much appreciated and
unexpected treat! In April, the three-yearold classes will help prepare the treats for
delivery. If you’d like to help prepare
the meatloaf please contact Nicole Bush
at nfbush@gmail.com. A special thanks
to Shari Nerreau and Scott Pearlman for
donating the brownie batter.
On Family Fun Day, many Bonim
families had the opportunity to help their
children prepare snack pack bags for
children at the Cesar Batalla School in
Bridgeport. The event was so much fun,
and the children were so helpful. Thanks
to all of the parents for the generous
donations. We were able to prepare more
than 75 bags! Each bag contained a box
of macaroni and cheese, an apple sauce,
a Goldfish packet, granola bar, bag of
pretzels, Annie’s bunnies, Ritz crackers,
a jar of play dough and a sheet of stickers.
The children at Cesar Batalla loved
receiving the decorated bags and seeing
the name of the person who prepared it
for them. We also collected many books
through the book drive, and they have
been set up in classrooms as a library
10
BIG START FOR MINI MITZVAHS – Bonim children are making their mark on the community. Above, students
prepare brownies to take to homeless shelters. At left, all the fixings for a birthday party for a Bridgeport
school student. Below, a call to action to make snack bags.
for the children to read as they please.
A special thanks to Bonnie Alterman
for manning the booth and helping the
children stuff their bags.
On March 1, the Mini Mitzvahs birthday
project celebrated its first sponsored
party. Over the last few weeks Ms.
Alterman & Ms. Ivette’s 4A class have
been busy preparing cards, decorations,
favor bags, gifts and cupcakes for
Heidy’s sixth birthday. Both teachers and
parents have commented that students
have come to see Heidy as a friend and
were very eager to prepare her party.
Her teacher arrived to pick up the items
collected and was overwhelmed with the
generosity of our little Mitzvah Makers.
Heidy was given a fun celebration with
her classmates with pizza, a piñata,
decorations, cupcakes and favors. Her
principal and teacher reported back that
she couldn’t stop smiling and giggling,
and was in disbelief that she was given
so many treats that were all for her. Her
mother, who also attended her party, was
so happy and thankful at the generosity
of the children. Thank you to all who
participated in party preparation. In the
coming weeks, the Pre-K and the 4A
four-year-old classes will prepare parties
as well. Birthday children for the threeyear-old classes will be assigned soon as
well. A big thank-you goes out to Nicole Bush
for developing the Mini Mitzvah program
and seeing it through.
We want you in the Bulletin! Send your news to editor Scott Smith at ssmith@cbibpt.org.
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1
12/4/15
HEBREW.............................
From Page 3
I’d rather hear the weather report on
Kol Yisrael than all the rhythms and
music of Shakespeare.
So a challenge: Perhaps this is the
time to consider something that has
long been an “I’ll get to it someday.”
We can create opportunities:
● T
o learn the aleph/bet if you
never have
● To up your ability and become a
Torah chanter
● To learn some biblical Hebrew
● To begin to engage in modern
Hebrew conversation
● To read some contemporary
Hebrew literature, if you already
have some background.
Any interest? Let me know!
CONFIRM
From Page 6
we were talking about what it means
to be Jewish and it was interesting to
hear everyone’s perspective.
Shabbat Service Schedule
(Fridays at 6:00 p.m. where indicated, preceded by an Oneg Shabbat at 5:30 p.m.)
Friday, April 1
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Shemini, – Lev.
9:1-11:47
Haftarah – Ezekiel 36:22-36
Saturday, April 2
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Service
Brotherhood Breakfast
Torah Study
Young Families Havurah
B’nai Mitzvah of Sarah Hurlbert,
daughter of Daniel and Lisa
Hurlbert, and Sarah Rocco,
daughter of Michael Moses and
Beth Doris, and Dan Rocco.
Friday, April 8
5:30 p.m. Mishpacha Shabbat
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Tazria, Lev. 12:113:59
Haftarah – Ezekiel 45:16-25
Saturday, April 9
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
Service
Brotherhood Breakfast
Torah Study
Young Families Havurah
Bat Mitzvah of Kayla Pressman,
daughter of Steven and Julie
Pressman
Friday, April 15
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Metzora, Lev.
14:1-15:33
Haftarah – Malachi, 3:4-24
Saturday, April 16
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
10:45 a.m. Shabbat Service with Rabbi
Schultz in the Library
11:00 a.m. Bat Mitzvah of Rebecca Newman,
daughter of Eric and Amy Newman
Friday, April 22
6:00 p.m. No Friday Evening Service –
Enjoy Seders at Home
Saturday, April 23 – No 8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Passover Morning Service
Thursday, April 28
6:00 p.m. Erev Last Day of Passover Service
Friday, April 29
10:00 a.m. 7th Day of Passover Festival/Yizkor
Service
6:00 p.m. Service
Torah Portion – Acharei Mot, Lev.
16:1-17:16
Haftarah – Ezekiel 22:1-14
Saturday, April 30
8:00 a.m. Service
9:00 a.m. Brotherhood Breakfast
9:30 a.m. Torah Study
9:30 a.m. Young Families Havurah
11:00 a.m. B’nai Mitzvah of Gigi (Regina)
Hopkins, daughter of Bonni and
Alex Hopkins, and Hayden Sutton,
son of Joseph and Jessica Sutton
*Welcoming guests at your Seder? Seeking a Seder
to attend? Please contact Rabbi Prosnit, Rabbi
Schultz or Cantor Blum. We would love to help
make connections so all can celebrate Passover.
Shane: The most interesting
conversation we’ve had is when we
discussed what it means to be Jewish
in the poetry slam. We discussed
Jewish stereotypes and thought
that being put into a category – any
category – was inappropriate.
Recycling Is New
B’nai Israel is now recycling. We
can recycle everything into one bin –
paper, junk mail newspapers, plastic,
glass, cans, etc.
Recycling bins are located throughout
the temple: Main Office; Maintenance
Area; Religious School – 1st floor;
Religious School – 2nd floor; and
Kitchen.
Ross and the Levites will lead a special Shabbat service in May.
Sabbath For The Soul
Join us for a special Shabbat service on Friday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m. “Sabbath for the
Soul” will feature Ross and the Levites. The service will combine elements of soul, rock,
jazz and folk music into one service that is both spiritual and joyful. A communal Shabbat
dinner will follow the service.
You can learn more about Ross and the Levites at https://kenesethisrael.org/worship/
sacred-music-ki/ross-m-levy-and-levites.
Donation Item of the Month: Bags of Beans and Rice for the St. John’s Food Pantry.
15
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 171
Fairfield, Conn.
Congregation B’nai Israel
2710 Park Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06604
www.cbibpt.org
Rabbi Borovitz Returns
To Debut New Book
Rabbi Mark Borovitz of Beit T’shuvah in Los Angeles returns
to us as a Shabbat Scholar to premiere his new book, “Finding Recovery and Yourself in Torah: A Daily Spiritual Path to
Wholeness.” He was our Slichot weekend scholar in 2014, and
the reviews were overwhelming.
Rabbi Borovitz leads Beit T’shuvah in Los Angeles, the only
Jewish residential recovery center in the United States. Beit
T’shuvah builds its program around the idea of “Being Torah.”
In addition to therapies, 12 Steps and other modalities, residents immerse themselves in Torah and try to find themselves
in the text.
Rabbi Borovitz’s new volume is arranged to be a book of daily inspiration. Each day begins with a quote from the Torah,
moves to Rabbi Mark’s commentary about the weekly portion,
and ends with questions meant to inspire each reader to further
reflection. It is intended to reach the recovery community as
well as readers seeking spirituality of all types.
Join us for Rabbi Borovitz’s talks on Friday, April 1, following
the 6:00 p.m. service and a Shabbat dinner), and again for Torah study on Saturday, April 2, at 9:30 a.m. You can make your
Rabbi Mark Borovitz
reservation for dinner (at $20 per person) by contacting Chris
Rocha in the office at chris@cbibpt.org or (203) 336-1858.
Copies of “Finding Recovery and Yourself in Torah: A Daily
Spiritual Path to Wholeness.” published by Jewish Lights, are
available for sale in the Temple office and while Rabbi Borovitz
is here.